Northeast Texas Railway Company is seeking federal authority to acquire and operate about 65.59 miles of rail line owned by the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District.
The line runs between milepost 555.0 in Greenville and milepost 489.41 in Winfield. Northeast Texas Railway, known as NETX, is currently a noncarrier but would become a Class III rail carrier if the transaction is completed.
The line is currently operated by Northeast Texas Connector LLC. According to a filing with the Surface Transportation Board, NETX would replace Northeast Texas Connector as the common carrier service provider on the line. The filing says Northeast Texas Connector does not object to the proposed change.
NETX and the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District are finalizing an agreement under which NETX would lease the underlying right-of-way, acquire the track and track material, and operate the line as a common carrier.
The transaction is tied to a separate filing in which TNW Corporation seeks authority to continue controlling NETX once it becomes a Class III carrier.
NETX told federal regulators that the proposed agreement does not include an interchange commitment. The company also certified that projected annual revenue will not exceed $5 million and will not make it a Class I or Class II railroad.
Because the filing involves a change in operator, NETX said it has notified known shippers that use or could potentially use the line.
The earliest the transaction may be completed is June 18, 2026. NETX said it expects to acquire the line and begin common carrier operations after that date.
Petitions to stay the exemption are due by June 11. Petitions to revoke may be filed at any time, though filing a petition to revoke does not automatically delay the exemption.
NETX said the proposed transaction is categorically excluded from environmental review and historic preservation reporting requirements.
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